Development of a High Power ISOL Target for Radioactive Beam Facilities

Target performance is a key element for the successful operation of a RIB (Radioactive Ion Beam) facility used in Nuclear Physics research. The tilted target is a promising approach for a fast release target, in that it would provide considerable yields in the spallation region of the residual mass distribution. However, the development of this target will require that a number of important issues be investigated: thin plate fabrication with high density and high thermal conductivity, heat removal (preferentially by heat radiation), release of isotopes of interest, and physical integrity of the target plate under irradiation. This project will design, fabricate, and test a prototype tilted target along with its enclosure. The main issues to be addressed are fabrication, release characteristics, heat removal, temperature distribution (thermal stresses) in the target plate, and ideal angle of the target plate. The experimental setup will consist of a beam with a large footprint, and with intensity high enough for testing release rates, heat deposition, and temperature distribution in a small scale mockup. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: A fast-release high-power target should greatly benefit RIB facilities because the fast release characteristic should allow production of beams with high intensity of short lived isotopes. The target concept also should find use in other accelerators and radioisotope production devices.